Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Tuesday defeated the former Governor Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Election Petition Tribunal. It was his second victory in barely two days.
The tribunal dismissed the petition of the former governor, Wada, for lack of merit and was subsequently set aside.
Governor Bello of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the governorship election after he was substituted for the party’s candidate, Abubakar Audu, who suddenly died before the conclusion of the poll.
The Governor on Monday also won the case at the Tribunal instituted by Audu’s running mate, Hon James Faleke, who had approached the Tribunal to declare him the winner of the poll.
According to the tribunal, Faleke’s petition lacked merit. But Faleke has since served notice of appeal of the judgment.
He said: “One thing I can say is that the judges have delivered their own judgment.
“I am going to consult my own lawyers and I am very certain that we will appeal the judgment.
“I think that there are certain sections of the judgment that I have seen on the Tv.
“I am not a lawyer, but I believe it is not in tune with our constitution.
“It is interesting to say that a candidate that is empowered by the constitution does not have a locus standi,” Mr. Faleke stated.
He said the Tribunal erred in law by dismissing his petition without examining the whole merit of his case.
“The judgment said that the party had the right to choose a candidate, but only limited to a period before the election.
“If it is before the election, which of the elections are they referring to?” he questioned.
